There’s method in my meanness

DANCING On Ice is on its way back to our screens – and so is original Ice
Queen Jason Gardiner.

He returns armed with a bumper pay rise and a mission to save the show’s
tumbling ratings.

Jason was on the show for six series before being replaced by mincing dancer
Louie Spence after a tumultuous series in 2011 which saw him reduce head
coach Karen Barber to tears when he taunted her about losing her place on
the judging panel.

But with Jason missing, the show’s ratings slipped to a low of 5.7million —
from a peak of 12.6million.

Jason admits ITV practically begged him to return — and are letting him bring
his caustic comments with him.

He told TV Biz: “ITV phoned me. Did I make them beg? Let me just say I am very
happy with the entire package.

“ITV have done everything to make me happy about coming back.”

Well, they’ve done everything except tell Karen, who is due to return for her
eighth series when the show starts in January.

He added: “Karen and I have not had any communication. I would love to see the
look on her face when she finds out.”

More than 2,000 viewers complained over the pair’s spat when he used the
damning put-down: “If your opinion mattered, you’d still be on the judging
panel.”

He’s thrilled that this year’s celebrities are signing up without realising he
is back on the panel. Jason said: “I’m going to be their nightmare before
Christmas. If you’re good I’m going to tell you you’re good and if you’re
bad I’m going to really enjoy telling you you’re bad.

“I was born ready to come back at people. I love the banter.”

Pamela Anderson will be leading this year’s line-up and Jason has already
delivered his withering verdict on the Baywatch babe.

He said: “I’ve only ever seen her in panto.”

Asked if she was any good, he smirked as he said: “Well, good on her for
giving it a go. She gave it a good old crack.”